KT Tape Spotted at the Olympics

Kinesio Tape, also known as KT Tape

If you’ve been watching the Olympics in London (how about those closing ceremonies!?!), then you’ve probably asked yourself about what the deal might have been with the colorful strips of tape all over Olympians’ bodies. These strips of tape aren’t just for decoration. In fact, they’re something that many athletes have been using to reduce injury for quite some time. The strips are actually KT tape, which is also known as Kinesio tape.

KT tape, for those who don’t know, is sort of like a Band-Aid for your muscles. It provides external support and works sort of like a brace to avoid further injury of an affected area. So basically, if you’re an athlete that tends to injure or feel strain around your knees, wearing KT tape can sort of offer a boost in protection. Some athletes also report that KT tape aids in improving circulation and alleviating pressure in an area where you most often feel pain after a workout. KT tape is often used to prevent many common sports injuries such as knee pain, shin splints, and tennis elbow, but athletes can basically use this aid anywhere they’d like.

For example, in the most recent Olympics, Katrin Holtwick of Germany wears KT tape across her abdomen. Beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings wears multiple strips when she plays.

KT tape was invented in Japan more then 30 years ago and has been used since then by athletes looking for a natural way to support their muscles. After the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, KT tape became an athletic staple, as countless rolls were donated to 58 countries. Today, KT tape is used as a lighweight external support in a variety of sports and settings. You can run with it, swim with it, wear it during volleyball, bike with it…you name it and you can pretty much wear KT tape while doing it.

To learn more about KT tape, be sure to check out our Kinesio Tape selection. At the top of the page, you’ll find a great breakdown of what KT tape is, what it does, and how you can use to to treat and prevent common sports injuries like ITBS, shin splints, plantars, fasciitis, and more.